Plan a Fantastic Trip to Puerto Vallarta

While Puerto Vallarta lures the bulk of its visitors with sunshine and surf, the city’s numerous galleries, murals and outdoor installations attract a steady stream of art lovers as well. Take a stroll along the Malecón, a 12-block pedestrian esplanade on the edge of the Pacific, which features a series of stunning bronze sculptures. Learn about these unique works alongside Galería Colectika owner Kevin Simpson, who offers free morning and sunset tours that include cameo appearances by some of the artists. Tours end at Galería Pacífico, where longtime gallerist Gary Thompson shares stories about Puerto Vallarta’s vibrant art scene. On Wednesday evenings through the end of May, aficionados can participate in Vallarta’s weekly Art Walk, a self-guided ramble to several historic district galleries featuring Mexican and international artwork, ceramics and jewelry. 

​Area craftspeople and producers abound at the Olas Altas Farmers Market held on Saturday mornings in Lázaro Cárdenas Park and hyper-local wares — everything hails from within 50 kilometers of Puerto Vallarta — make excellent souvenirs. Pick up a bag of organic coffee from the husband and wife team who own Café Yolanda Superior del Pacifico, step into a colorful pair of handmade sandals crafted by Begoña López Morales or sample Tamalei Diva Adriana Basail’s fresh, seasonal tamales. The park itself is a work of art. Over the past 18 months, local artist Natasha Moraga has embarked on a mission to cover every surface with brilliantly hued tiles — part of her public art project Vallarta Mosayko. From December through April, Moraga offers volunteer programs on Mondays, Tuesday, Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for folks who want to lend a hand.

​Flavors of Jalisco

The west-central Mexican state of Jalisco has long been celebrated for its rich history and culture. It’s the birthplace of the charros — Mexico’s cowboys — mariachi music, and perhaps most famously, tequila, a spirit made from the blue agave. Lately, culinary-minded travelers have pegged Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco’s coastal hub, as one of Mexico’s most innovative foodie destinations as well. 

​Hit the town with the folks at Vallarta Food Tours, who specialize in heading off the tourist track to some of the city’s lesser-known gastronomic gems. Several tours are offered, but you’ll feel like a true Vallarta native on “The Street,” an evening foray to eateries that come to life after sunset. Along the way, sample a variety of delicious tacos, sugary churros, and Racilla, a hyper-local agave spirit.  

​Elevate your understanding and appreciation for Jalisco’s prized spirit during a tequila tasting at the Marriott Puerto Vallarta with Audrey Formisano, the resort’s in-house tequilera — or tequila sommelier. You won’t see a salt shaker or wedge of lime on the table as Formisano guides you through the resort’s portfolio of exclusive CasaMagna tequilas and shares stories about the agave-derived elixir’s cultural significance and creation. Sipped from champagne flutes rather than tossed back as a shot, the four varieties — blanco, reposado, añejo and extra añejo — are paired with fruit and cheeses selected to bring out the nuance of flavor.

​Inspired by the dishes prepared by their mothers and abuelas, Marriott chefs crafted Jalisco at Your Table, a seven-course menu spotlighting the state’s culinary heritage. The meal opens with savory tamales followed by traditional fare like wood-fired zarandeado fish, creamy roasted corn soup and rich birria tacos prepared with a contemporary twist. For an extra-special experience, ask to be seated in the resort’s herb garden.